FROM: History of Rush County, Indiana, from the Earliest Time to the Present: With Biographical Sketches, Notes, Etc., Together with a Short History of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana.
BY: Brant & Fuller
Published: 1888

John McCarty, who has resided in Rush County for the past fifty-three years, was born in Lincoln County, N. C., March 14, 1816, being the son of Jacob and Judah (Jenkins) McCarty, both of whom were natives of Lincoln County, N. C., the former of Irish, and the latter of German descent. His father was the son of Cornelius McCarty, a native of Ireland, and his mother was the daughter of William and Catharine Jenkins, who were natives of Germany. When he was yet a young child but four years old his parents emigrated westward to Champaign County, Ohio. The family settled upon a tract of woods land, where the mother died three years later. Seven years after his father married Mrs. Sarah Like. In about 1833, his father and stepmother removed to Clark County, Ohio, and a year later they came to Rush County and settled in Ripley Township, where his father spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in the eighty-third year of his age. For one year after his parents came to this county, our subject remained in the State of Ohio, but in February, 1835, he likewise came to this county, and his home has been in Ripley Township ever since, except about four or five months, during which he resided in Center Township. He was married December 24, 1836, to Miss Eliza Siler, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, February 2, 1818, being the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Ruby) Siler, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Mrs. Eliza McCarty, died December 14, 1863, and on February 1, 1865, Mr. McCarty, was married to Miss Catharine Rhodes. She was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, October 10, 1828, being the daughter of George and Sarah (Ruby) Rhodes, the former a native of Bedford County, Pa., and the latter a native of Shenandoah County, Va., both of German descent. Her father was the son of Philip and Mary (Weaver) Rhodes, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother was the daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Bender) Ruby, who were natives of Virginia. The first marriage of Mr. McCarty resulted in the birth of four children: Edward, Rebecca A., Jacob F., and John H., all of whom are living. He and his present wife have an only child: Minnie, born December 1, 1865, Mr. McCarty has occupied his present home since about the year 1847. His life occupation has been farming, and in this connection he has been very successful. When he entered upon his married life his only capital was willing hands. The present good state of his circumstances, reflects very creditably upon his industry and energy. He owns a good farm of 120 acres which is in a good state of improvement and cultivation. In addition to this the wife of Mr. McCarty has a farm of forty acres, which also lies in Ripley Township. Mr. McCarty is an industrious and hard working farmer, an honorable, upright man, and he and wife are among the best citizens of their township. JAcob F. McCARTY, proprietor of a meat market in Carthage, was born March 17, 1842, being the son of John and Eliza (Siler) McCarty, a history of whom is given elsewhere. He was born in Ripley Township, and reared upon his father's farm. He entered the service of the Union Army at the age of twenty, or in August 1862